Parliament: Buffer time and indoor venues for SEA Games in case of haze

Organisers of next year's SEA Games which will take place here, will build in buffers into the competition schedule, or move some events indoors, in case the haze causes events to be disrupted. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

By Rachel Au-Yong

SINGAPORE - Organisers of next year's SEA Games which will take place here, will build in buffers into the competition schedule, or move some events indoors, in case the haze causes events to be disrupted.

The Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee is also working on a set of criteria to determine whether or not to proceed with events at differing levels of air quality, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong in Parliament on Wednesday.

This framework would take reference from the air quality descriptor and public health advisories issued by the National Environment Agency, and will be overseen by sports representatives and experts in various fields, such as medical, communications and security, he said.

Mr Wong was responding to Nominated MP Nicholas Fang's call for updates on contingency plans to minimise the impact of transboundary haze on the games. Mr Fang is also the Games' chef-de-mission.